1. Four Year Graduation Plans in Humble ISD
Updated October 2014
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”
~Pablo Picasso

2. Graduation Plans Distinguished Level of Achievement Foundation Program
with an Endorsement
Distinguished Level
of Achievement
There are two options within the Foundation High School Graduation Program.
• The Foundation with Endorsement requires 26 state credits for graduation.
• And the Distinguished Level of Achievement replaces the current Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) as the highest graduation plan in the state of Texas. The Distinguished Level of Achievement is the default plan for all Humble ISD students on the Foundation High School Program.
• More information of each of these plans is available later in this presentation

3. Endorsements
“A student entering Grade 9 in the school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program specified in Section of this title and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement specified in Section of this title (relating to Endorsements).”
Text of New 19 TAC
Humble ISD will provide students the opportunity to choose any of the 5 endorsements listed in House Bill 5.

4. ? What is an endorsement? An endorsement is a broad area of study
It’s a bit like a college major
So what is an endorsement, anyway? An endorsement is a broad area of study, a little bit like a college major, but much more broad.
An endorsement sets a student apart. Did you know that while students who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas, except for the University of Texas, that admission to a university does not guarantee acceptance into a particular college of study or department? Many of these departments have very competitive admissions requirements. When college admissions counselors look at the application of a student with an endorsement, they will see a student who is not only prepared to succeed at the postsecondary level, but who has a clear vision of what he or she wants to accomplish in school and in life!

5. Distinguished Level of Achievement
“A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement required by the Texas Education code (TEC)…including four credits in science and four credits in mathematics to include Algebra II.”
Text of New 19 TAC
Beginning with cohort 2018, students who wish to be eligible for the Texas Top 10% automatic admissions law must achieve the Distinguished Level of Achievement. The Distinguished Level of Achievement is the default plan for all Humble ISD students. Of course, as circumstances arise, we understand that not all students will be able to achieve this goal. At that time, the counselor should work with the student and his or her family to alter the student’s graduation plan to meet his or her individual circumstances. We would like for all students to graduate with at least one endorsement, but we also anticipate that some students will need to graduate on the FHSP without an endorsement. This circumstance should be fairly rare and should be handled on a case by case basis.

6. Why are students being pushed to choose a career pathway?
Students with career goals are 16% more likely to graduate from high school.
Students who participate in CTE courses are 30% more likely to complete high school.
Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to persist in college.
Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to attain jobs in their chosen career field after college.
There are a number of very good reasons why students need to plan for a career pathway. First, Students with career goals are 16% more likely to graduate from high school. In addition, students who participate in Career and Technical courses are 30% more likely to complete high school. Students with well-defined career goals are also more likely to persist in college. Finally, and maybe most important for parents, students with well-defined career goals are more likely to attain jobs in their chosen career field after college!

7. Why choose so early?
Having a plan early allows you the chance to take advantage of all the opportunities that exist in Humble ISD.
Choosing your path early does not “lock” you in to that path. You can change your mind!
Exploring options early gives you a chance to figure out what you like and what you don’t.
Did you know that Humble ISD offers courses in all 16 of the national career clusters? Students in Humble have the opportunity to study everything from floral design to rocket science! Having a plan early allows our students to take advantage of all the opportunities that exist in Humble ISD.
It’s important that students and their parents understand that choosing a path early does not lock a student into that path. Students can and will change their minds! That’s where the campus counselor can help. He or she will be there to help students navigate the career exploration process.
Besides, exploring options early gives students the chance to figure out what they like and what they don’t like. And parents, unlike college, these courses are either free or have a small materials fee!

8. How will colleges view the new graduation requirements?
Because the new graduation requirements have just been developed, no one knows exactly how the new requirements will affect college admissions.
Therefore, it is VERY important for parents and students to check the specific admission requirements for any college a student may be interested in attending.

9. Sample College Admissions Requirements
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
LOTE
U of Houston- Main 4 3 2
(2)
TX A&M
UT Austin
3 (4)
2 (3)
TX State
Baylor
UT San Antonio
Texas Tech
Sam Houston State
Stephen F Austin
(4)
Rice
2 (4)
UT Dallas
LSU
TCU
Lamar
2.5
This slide is a sample of some of the admissions requirements for some of the colleges that Humble ISD students are most interested in attending. Remember, checking the specific admission requirements for any college a student may be interested in attending is ALWAYS a good idea!
Numbers are credit requirements for admissions.
Numbers in parenthesis are recommended subject credit(s) for admissions.

10. What’s a credit?
High school students earn a half-credit for successful completion of each course each semester.
Semester average must be 70% or better.
Students may earn credit if the year-end average is 70% or better.
Attendance matters! Students who fail to be in class 90% of the time may lose credit for the course.
26 credits are required for graduation.
Before building your course plan, it’s important to understand the requirements for a high school diploma. When you earn a semester average of 70 or higher, you will complete a ½ credit toward your graduation plan.

11. College Level Courses Available in most subject areas
Humble ISD offers a variety of pre-college and college level courses. All students whose career pathway requires a post-secondary education should consider preparing for the challenges of college by taking advantage of the these courses.
Available in most subject areas
Teacher input is valuable in making this decision
Prepare for college
Earn higher GPA
May earn college credits in 11th & 12th grade through Dual Credit courses, AP exams, or IB exams
Learn to think, read, and write critically and analytically
Before we go into greater detail on the next few slides about the graduation requirements, be aware that most academic courses may be taken on the regular level or as a PreAP or AP class. Talk to your teachers and counselor about whether you should take PreAP and AP classes in high school. PreAP and AP courses count for a higher grade point, help you prepare for college, and allow you to earn college credits while still in high school.

12. Who should take PreAP and AP classes?
Students who are:
Self-motivated
Hard-working
Challenge-seeking
Capable of handling faster pace
Willing to invest extra time, but still keep BALANCE
Planning to pursue a highly competitive field
You should take PreAP and AP courses if you can handle the rigor and are up to the challenge. Students planning to enter highly competitive fields such as health sciences, engineering, law, and others should take as many advanced courses as possible.

13.
Four Year Plans Ahead
Portfolio name: humble+student ID
Password: student ID
Choices Planner
Under “Learn”, click “Course Plan Builder”
Click “Start a new school course plan”
Select the Endorsement area that matches your cluster
Then click “Add to your plan”
We will work together to create the best 4 year plan for YOU
It’s time to build your 4 year high school course plan in Bridges. You have already explored and selected a career cluster and will now create a course plan that matches your high school courses to your career pathway. As a reminder, your portfolio name in bridges is humble followed by your 6 digit student ID. Your password is your 6 digit ID.

14. English Graduation Requirements
Recommendations:
Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals.
The 4th English should be a bridge between high school and post-secondary goals. Humble ISD recommends taking a college-level course at least by senior year for those students planning on going to college.
English I (EOC)
English II (EOC)
And now for the general high school requirements. The 4 credits in English include English 1, 2, and 3. You may choose from on-level or PreAP for English 1 and 2. 11th graders have the option of on-level English 3 or AP English 3. If a student takes AP English 3, he or she may take the AP exam at the end of the year and depending on the score, may earn college credit. A senior can take on-level English 4 OR AP English 4 OR Dual Credit English 4, which counts for high school honors grade points and earns 6 college credit hours in ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302.
English III
Additional English

15. Math Graduation Requirements
Recommendations:
Choose challenging math courses that will prepare you for your career goals.
The 4th math course should be a bridge between high school and post-secondary goals. Humble ISD recommends taking a college-level course at least by senior year for those students planning on going to college.
Algebra I (EOC)
Geometry
The high school math sequence starts with Algebra 1. After Algebra 1, students choose from on-level Geometry or Geometry PreAP, THEN they take Algebra 2, either on-level or PreAP. After Algebra 2, it’s important to consider your career pathway and choose the math that will be most useful for your future. Humble ISD recommends a college level math course after Algebra 2 for those students planning on attending college.
Algebra 2
and 1 additional credit

16. Science Graduation Requirements
Recommendations:
Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals.
Students may take either IPC or Biology their freshman year.
Biology (EOC)
Laboratory-based Courses:
IPC
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
IB Chemistry
Physics
Principles of Physics
AP Physics
IB Physics
1 credit lab-based course
2 additional credits
Note: Students may not take IPC after taking Chemistry or Physics.

17. U.S. Government and Economics
Social Studies Graduation Requirements
Recommendations:
Humble ISD recommends four years of social studies beginning with World Geography.
Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals.
If students/parents wish to “skip” a year of social studies, Humble ISD recommends skipping the freshman year.
World History or World Geography
U.S. History (EOC)
U.S. Government and Economics
Note: All students are required to take US History in the junior year.

18. Plan for your extracurricular activities!
Agriculture competitions
Athletics
Cheerleading
Debate
Drill Team
Fine Arts
JROTC
Once you’ve met the standard credit requirement, additional courses count as electives

19. Plan for your Endorsement
All students must choose an Endorsement.
Each Endorsement requires a series of courses.
Most of these courses have a required sequence.
Students may earn more than one Endorsement.
See your Planning Guide for specific Endorsement requirements.

20. OTHER Graduation Requirements
2 Credits LOTE
Recommendation:
Humble ISD recommends beginning your foreign language requirement in your sophomore year unless you’ve already begun foreign language in middle school.
1 Credit Physical Ed.
1 Credit Fine Art
Total of 26 Credits

21. Languages Other Than English (2 credits required)
Begin in
10th
Choose from:
Spanish
French*
German*
Latin*
American Sign Language (ASL)*
* These LOTE options are not available on all campuses
Must take 2 years of the SAME language
Ex: Spanish 1 & Spanish 2
In high school, you will be required to have 2 years of the same foreign language, depending on your graduation plan. Humble ISD recommends that most students begin their LOTE classes in 10th grade. This is a general recommendation; for example, some students may be ready to begin their LOTE classes in 9th grade, and some students will need to begin their LOTE classes in 9th grade in order to meet their post-secondary goals. Choose from Spanish, French, German, Latin, or American Sign Language. If you can read, write, and speak Spanish fluently already, the Spanish for Native Speakers class will allow you to earn two credits in one year.

22. Fine Arts (1 credit required)
Choices
Art
Theater Arts or Tech Theater
Orchestra
Band
Choir
Dance
Notes
Fall semester of Band can count as PE ½
credit OR as a Fine Arts ½ credit
Dance 1 gives students credit in BOTH
Fine Arts & PE
You will need to take and pass one credit of fine arts in high school. Choose from Art, Theater, Orchestra, Band, Choir, or Dance. If you plan to take Band, you will add the 1st semester under the PE requirements and the 2nd semester of Band will be placed in the fine arts section in Bridges. Notice also that Dance 1 will take the place of BOTH a Fine Arts Credit AND a PE credit.

23. Physical Education (1 credit required)
PE Classes
Athletics (any school sport)
Fall semesters of Cheerleading
Fall semesters of Band
Junior ROTC 1
Drill Team or Dance 1
Off-Campus PE through approved vendor (requires application)
Choices PE
There are many ways to meet the 1 credit requirement for PE.
The first way to meet this requirement is simply by taking PE classes on campus. Your options are listed under Physical Education in your Bridges course plan.
Another way to meet this requirement is to be in athletics classes. Remember that athletic teams at the high school level are highly competitive and you typically must try-out and make a team in order to be in the athletic period.
The fall semesters of Band and Cheerleading count toward the PE requirement. Other options include JROTC and Dance 1.
Off-Campus PE requires 5 or more hours of rigorous / intense training under a coach’s supervision at an approved commercial establishment through a regular Monday through Friday workout schedule. Examples include martial arts, swim team, dance, gymnastics, and lacrosse. See your counselor for an application.

24. How can parents help? Partner with counselors & teachers.
Ask questions!!!
Learn more –visit the Humble ISD & Bridges websites frequently.
View your child’s PGP, goals, interest & values inventories, and more on
Check your child’s four year plans before you allow your child to submit the plan to his or her counselor.

25. Bridges Helps Us Get It All Done!
is the tool that Humble ISD uses to help our students explore a wide variety of career options and make plans to achieve his or her goals– from school or from home!
A motivated student who chooses a pathway is a more focused, achievement-oriented student.
THE
FUTURE
Portfolio name: humble + 6 digit ID (Ex: humble123456)
Password: 6 digit ID (Ex: )
AHEAD

26. Questions? For more information:
Visit with your child’s professional school counselor at his or her campus
Download the Endorsement One-pagers from Humbleisd.net
Visit